About
Hi, I’m Jessica.
I’ve been where you are: navigating both the messiness and joy of motherhood from breastfeeding through a painful latch to slowly figuring out a new identity. Believe me when I say, I get it.
My biggest dream as a child was to become a mother. And I made that dream come true- twice! What I hadn’t dreamt about was feeling lost, confused, frustrated and overwhelmed.
Sure it was joyful, rewarding, awe-inspiring too, but I hadn’t anticipated how much time, energy and problem solving my very first job as a mother would require; I had to feed my baby and I had to do it well.
I ultimately breastfed my daughters for almost 4 years combined. It certainly wasn’t easy, but I realized it was the support and company of other moms and professionals I trusted that made me believe I could do it, and figure things out when I had doubts or challenges.
That was a turning point.
With more than a decade of experience as an occupational therapist (OTR), I decided to return to school (yet again!) to find my passion and purpose to work with moms. In the fall of 2023, I graduated with my post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD).
It was also during this time that I realized my passion in lactation.
In 2022, I began working exclusively with moms and babies as an occupational therapist and realized that much had changed with the Pandemic— where there once was opportunity for community and support for those earliest months of motherhood, there was now more isolation. This made breastfeeding an especially lonely, confusing, and difficult experience for many.
To specialize in maternal health and lactation as an occupational therapist, I have consumed over 300 hours of professional development (and counting!), ultimately becoming an International Board Certified lactation Consultant (IBCLC), with a Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C).
All those letters are a fancy way of saying my life’s work is advocating for and encouraging moms everywhere– and I’m 100% dedicated to the cause.
Education
BA in Psychology, University of California Riverside 2009
MS in Occupational Therapy, San Jose State University 2011
Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD), Boston University 2023
Specialized Trainings and Certifications
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) IBLCE
Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) ALPP
Certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) PSI
Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM) Infant Massage USA
Flange Fitting for Clinical Practice: Babies In Common
The Vaughan Approach: Pediatric Bodywork, Craniosacral (CST) and Lymphatic Drainage
Sensory Beginning Master Course
B.Mentored Trained Therapist
Reflexive Infant Feeding: Beyond the Tongue
The Therapist's Role in Treating Plagiocephaly Without a Helmet: Baby Begin
When Babies Can’t Suck: An Advanced Course for Therapists
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Certificate
Lactation Therapy: Advanced Clinical Skills Workshop, Breast Massage and Lymphatic Drainage with Maya Bolman
Hi, I’m Maya.
I’m an infant occupational therapist (OTR), registered nurse (RN), lactation counselor (CLC), and mom. I’ve spent my career supporting families through some of their most vulnerable and transformative moments.
After welcoming my son in 2024 and navigating our own breastfeeding journey, I gained a deeper understanding of the beauty and complexity of early parenthood.
I began my work as a registered nurse, with experience in critical care, perinatal, and mental health settings. These experiences shaped how I view both infants and parents — as individuals whose physical and emotional needs are deeply intertwined.
During the pandemic, I had the opportunity to expand my perspective by pursuing education in occupational therapy, where I specialized in neonatal therapy. Since then, I’ve loved integrating these two lenses to support families in a comprehensive, developmentally informed way.
I’ve also contributed to NICU research exploring how early sensory experiences impact infant development and maternal mental health, which continues to guide my work.
My practice sits at the intersection of feeding, early development, and parental mental health. I’m especially passionate about supporting breastfeeding dyads so families can feel confident, connected, and supported as they find their own path forward.
Specialized Trainings and Certifications
Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Infant Driven Feeding: Advanced Oral Feeding Practices in the NICU - Dr. Brown’s Medical
Supporting Oral-Motor Skills in the Infant: Assessment, Adaptation, and Remediation - The Lactation OT
Bodywork for Better Breastfeeding - The Lactation OT
Torticollis from NICU Through the First Year: More Than Just a Twisted Neck - National Association of Neonatal Therapists
Pediatric NDT Intensive Handling Intervention Course Developed by Gail Ritchie
Education
BA in Nursing, University of Texas at Austin
MS in Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University
Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate, University of Southern California
Lactation Support|Infant Feeding Therapy|Occupational Therapy|Infant Massage & Bodywork
Things we can help with:
Postpartum healing, tongue and lip tie, latch difficulties, milk supply, transition to solids, bottle refusal, feeding aversion, head turn preference, delayed milestones, pumping, perinatal mood changes, postpartum anxiety and/or depression, parental stress, oral dysfunction, returning to work, sleep routines, mindfulness-based stress reduction, creative expression and processing, alternative feeding methods such as cups, syringes, spoons, Supplemental Nursing Systems (SNS), nipple shields
Services we offer through Milk Stories:
